McLaren group principal Andrea Stella says Max Verstappen’s overly aggressive driving on Lando Norris throughout the Austrian Grand Prix was the results of The Dutchman was not punished for related driving in opposition to Lewis Hamilton in 2021.
Verstappen was making an attempt to disclaim Norris the lead on the Crimson Bull Ring on Sunday when the pair collided with eight laps to go, inflicting the McLaren to endure race-ending injury and the world champion After a puncture within the pit cease, he completed fifth.
The stewards believed that Verstappen didn’t go away sufficient area for Norris exterior Flip 3 and subsequently imposed a 10-second time penalty on him.
Stella advised reporters: “I discovered that aside from one group of individuals, everybody on the planet knew who was accountable.” Sky Sports activities F1.
“However the issue behind it’s that if you happen to do not deal with these points actually, they may come again. They’re coming again immediately as a result of in a number of the fights with Lewis prior to now, these points weren’t correctly addressed and should be punished.” Extra Harsh Manner.
“You now be taught to play in a sure approach that we are able to take into account to be honest and equitable.”
Verstappen has made some controversial strikes in a decent 2021 title battle with Hamilton, with the pair colliding at Imola, Silverstone, Monza and Jeddah, with the Briton pressured to take evasive motion Motion to keep away from one other collision in Brazil.
questioner Sky Sports activities F1 When requested by Ted Kravitz if he was referring to the incident between Verstappen and Hamilton on the 2021 World Cup in Brazil, Stella replied: “Sure, there have been a number of episodes.
“The reality is, we’ve got a number of respect for Crimson Bull, a number of respect for Max – they do not want to do that. It is a approach of virtually damaging your status. Why would you do this?”
With Verstappen ending fifth and Norris not scoring any factors, the previous’s lead over the latter expanded to 81 factors within the standings.
Verstappen will not be the primary sporting celebrity to come back underneath scrutiny for his driving type, with seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher additionally dealing with criticism for quite a lot of high-profile crashes throughout his profession.
Requested whether or not Verstappen’s type was a tough racing type that needs to be accepted, Stella replied: “I feel the stewards discovered Max absolutely accountable on this episode. So it wasn’t within the driver’s approach. Play the sport, however play the principles of the sport inside the sport.
“These laws should be enforced in an efficient method as a result of when a automobile is withdrawn from the race because of this incident, the penalty must be proportionate to the end result.
“We had two drives underneath the brakes earlier than that episode. So I feel clearly we’ve got to drive the way in which we race as a result of we wish to have enjoyable and we wish to take pleasure in it.”
‘No relevance’ – Wolff defends Verstappen
Mercedes group principal Toto Wolff disagreed with Stella’s evaluation of Verstappen’s driving expertise, saying “it takes two to tango”.
Wolff has repeatedly criticized Verstappen’s driving expertise throughout the 2021 season, however the Mercedes boss has not too long ago launched a allure offensive in opposition to the Dutchman in an try to prize him away from Crimson Bull.
“I do not assume you’ll be able to draw that conclusion,” Wolff mentioned on the post-match press convention.
“In a approach, it has been a very long time for us. We simply should…we’re in a unique place immediately and I feel he’s. It takes two to tango.
“To be sincere, I did not watch the sport. I did not watch Lando and Max play. I did not see the way it all occurred. So, I would like to look at it first earlier than I can provide an opinion, however I would not assume which are the foremost penalties of mismanagement in 2021 for what occurs in 2024.
“I do not assume there is a correlation.”
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